THE district council's new leader has pledged to put residents first and bring more transparency to decision-making as he gets to work with his new executive team.

Conservative councillor James Friend, who was elected as leader after voters returned a hung council on May 7, formed a three-person executive at last week's meeting, when the Tories were described as "arrogant" and "disappointing" by rival members.

Mr Friend admitted the political situation in the district is "highly unusual", but promised to work hard to maintain stability.

He said: "Before the meeting the three group leaders had agreed to put the needs of local residents first and to do all we could to make the jobs of the dedicated and well respected council officers and staff possible to do."

Although efforts to form a coalition between the parties failed, Mr Friend said: "Residents can rest assured that I and all Conservative councillors will do all we can to make the best of the situation for residents."

The executive is made up of Mr Friend with fellow Conservatives Kathryn Westwood and Clare Curran.

Mr Friend added: "I still believe that a broad and balanced council executive with representation from several wards, new ideas and experience is the best way for us to support council officers and staff to deliver these ambitions.

"I am saddened that members did not support this and chose to destabilise the work of the council when we had all agreed we needed to work cooperatively."

Mr Friend, who replaces Jean Pearson as council leader, said he hopes to work with the opposition groups to promote scrutiny of the executive's decisions.

"I am looking to establish a collaborative way of working making the most of the skills and knowledge from across the chamber and bringing more transparency to decision-making," he said.

He added that his top priority was to better connect with communities and partner organisations.

Hugh Broom, a resident of Wescott Road, said: "The key thing is the fact that when there is no overall control members spend far too much time playing party politics.

"They need to spend more time on the things that affect people on a day-to-day basis. I just hope that the new executive can get things done."

And John Pratt, who runs clothes shop Ian Munro in Dorking, said: "I am sure James Friend will be a good leader but they all need to learn to work together. If they could have formed a coalition it would have been much better for all of us."